Stitch a Textured Cardigan with Nydia

I bought the Nydia Pullover by Vanessa Smith when it came out, though I haven’t knit it yet (my pattern stash is almost as big a problem as my yarn stash!). I was sure that I wrote about how much I loved if back when it came out, but I guess I didn’t share that one one with. If you’re more into pullovers, be sure to check that one out on Ravelry, too.

But now that there’s a cardigan version, I’m probably going to have to buy that one, too.

The Nydia cardigan uses the same pretty textured lace pattern that from a distance looks sort of like linen stitch. It’s easy to knit and works up pretty quickly in DK weight yarn. The pattern is a top down raglan with lateral braided edgings separating the ribbing from the main body stitch pattern.

This design is totally customizable. It’s written with options for a cropped length or standard full length, and with 3/4 or long sleeves. It has 12 size options ranging from a chest measurement of 29.85 inches to 63.25 inches, but the pattern also includes instructions for customizing the chest measurement to your specifications. It’s meant to be worn with zero to 2 inches of negative ease (meaning the sweater is either the same size or up to 2 inches smaller than your full bust measurement).

The pattern is so pretty and it looks somehow dressed up and casual at the same time.

Now I’m just going to need a worsted weight version to be my wear all the time when I’m in the house sweater. I’m sure I could figure it out from all the size options and mods available in this fun pattern.

You can learn more and grab your copy of the pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Vanessa Smith.]

Next Pattern:

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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